By henry a



Sept. 10, E929. H. H. HANCOCK COMPOSING STICK Filed July 1a, 19;,8

Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

HARRY H. HANCOCK, DECEASED, LATE F LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, BY HENRY A. SAWYER, ADMINISTRATOR, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

COMPOSING STICK.

Application filed July 18,

The invention relates to composing sticks employed by printers for setting type, and objects of the invention are the following:

To provide a composing stick having a transverse adjustable member, corresponding` in a measure with a knee, but yet having none of the disadvantages of the usual To provide a composing stick 1n which l@ there is no objectionable springiness in the locking parts;

To provide a composing stick having a specially reinforced back flange;

To provide a composing stick having considerable capacity, considering the minimum overall dimensions thereof;

To provide a very simple reversible gauge member whereby the composing stick may be changed for pica or nonpareil measure- 0 ment or the like, such gauge member suppleinenting the transversely adjustable member.

lVth these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and then claimed with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan of the improved composing stick;

Fig. 2 is an edge elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan;

Fig. 4 is a section as viewed on the line 4 4, Fig. 1, the stick being shown upside ss down;

FigA .5 is a broken detail section, partly in elevation, showing how the reversble gauge member is supported in place;

Fig. 6 is a broken detail edge elevation, with the end wall of the stick omitted;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the reversible gauge member, and

Fig. S is a perspective view of the lock member or block.

Referring to the drawings, the base plate 10 of the composing stick is shown as graduated along one edge, preferably to pica measurement, for convenience in using the stick. The opposite edge of the base plate 10 is provided with a coextensive flange 11 1928. Serial No. 293,661.

constituting a back wall. Preferably the main body of the stick is composed of a suitably bent up piece of sheet metal which is imperforate. At one end of the stick is a transverse wall or support 12 consisting of a suitable length of metal which is soldered, brazed or welded, or otherwise secured, in the angle formed between the base plate 10 and the back wall 11, said end wall being preferably of a. length somewhat less` than the distance between the back wall 11 and the graduatedl edge of the' baseplate 10, and its outer side surface being located somewhat inwardly of the edge of that end of the base plate, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. The object in extending the end of the base plate 10 somewhat beyond the end wall 12 will appear hereinafter. I'

There is permanently fixed to the inner surface of the flange or back wall 11 a metal strip 13 constituting a toothed rack, and this may be done by soldering, brazing, welding or the like, the said strip 13 being coextensive with the length of the back wall, and having a width approximately one-half of? the width of the back wall. The spaces between the teeth ofthe rack constitute sockets 13a. Applied to the bottom of the base plate 10 is a strip 14, preferably composed of metal stock similar to the strip or rack .13, and this strip 14 also constitutes a toothed rack, the spaces between the teeth providing sockets 14n. The rack 14 is preferably secured to the bottom of the base plate by soldering, brazing, welding or the like, its length being coextensive with the length lof the base plate, and its teeth being presented outwardly towards the adjacent longitudinal edge of the base plate. The rack 14 is preferably placed at some distance. removed from the adjacent edge of the base plate. Also secured as by soldering, brazing, welding or the like toy the back wall 11 there is a metal strip 15 which is coextensive with and in the same plane as the rack13. This is preferably a plain length of strip metal, its inner edge being set against the teeth of rack 13 and its outer edge terminating at the edge of the back wall 11. By the combined action of the rack 13 and the strip 15 the back wall 11 of 100 the stick is reinforced throughout, so that it will not tend to buckle, bend or get out of shape, and the strip 15 4closes the adjacent sides of the sockets 13a, so as to enable good results to be obtained in the use of the stick.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the improved composing stick is provided with a transverse member 16 which is adjustable transversely of itself, and hence longitudinally of the stick. This laterally adjustable member 16 is for regulating different column lengths of type set up in `the stick and may be composed of suitable metal. Adjustable member 16 is Vprovidedat its inner end with a transverse recess 17 extending longitudinally of the stick,.and into said re cess there is fitted an insert piece of hard metal 18 which `is provided with a tooth .or teeth 119 which projects longitudinally .of the length of `the,adjustable member 16, said insert piece 18 'being :preferably held permanently in place by means of pins or rivets 20. The `function of the -teeth 19 is to `enter :the desired sockets 13, for fixing that end of the adjustable Vmember in position. The toothed insert piece 18 may k-:be composed ofthe same strip stock as the racks 13 and J4. Preferably the adjustable `member 16 is provided with allongitudinalcutfout .21, so `as .to provide enlargements 22, 23 at ,the yends of the member 16 `and .which extend laterally there of.

Referring now yto Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, there `is .provided .at the outer end olf the adjustable member 16 ,a lock-member or block 24 which is movable more vor Aless up or down relatively to .the depth of the composing stick. `This flock-member .or block 24 may be composed of lhard metal suitably machined so as to be `adjustable relatively to the member 16, which is also properly machined. The `lock-member 24 is provided with side flanges 25 which extend in opposite directions from .the main -body of the lock-mem ber, the latter fbeing received in a recess 26 in the outer end of the laterallj7 adjustable member 16, said flanges 25 `having a sliding fit in grooves :27 `at opposite sides of the recess A26. It is preferred :that there be a snug Iyet sliding fit between the lock-member 24 and the member 16. The head 23 of member 16 is `provided with Aa screw-"hole 28 which extends transversely of the length.- of the lockmember 16, said hole receiving la pointed :screw 29 which is provided with an elongated cylindrical ,head 30, the outer surface of which may be milled `or roughened, in order to facilitate `.the `,turning of the head 30, and hence thescrew 29, when the head is grasped between Athe fingers of ones hand. It will be noted on referring to Figs. 2 and 4 that preferably the head 30 ofthe screwdoes not pro- .lct beyond .the outer edge .of the :back flange 11 ,tand that the .depthofthe -adj ustable member 16 is substantially the width of the back flange 11. The pointed end of the screw 29 is adapted to be entered into and located in a concavity 31- in the adjacent side of the lon.- gitudinally movable lock-member 24., for a purpose to be explained.

The lower end of the lock-member 24 as shown more clearly in detail in Fig. 8 is provided with an under-reaching or hooklike extension S2, which terminates in a tongue 33 which extends in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the lockn `member 24. This tongue 33 is provided at its inner face with a transverse rib 34 which extends ina direction longitudinally of the composing stick and is provided at its inner side with .an inclined surface 35. The outer `end of the tongue 33 is provided with teeth `6 for engaging in sockets 14a at the under side of the stick. The rib 34, as shown clearly in Fig. 4, is adapted to enter a groove 37 extending longitudinally of the base plate 10 of the stick, said groove being formed with an inclined surface 3S which is .complementary to the inclined surface 35 ofthe rib 84.

By the improved construction of printers composing stick, a member 16 which is adjustable longitudinally of the stick is provided, which at its inner end is adapted to Iirmly interlock with portions of vthe back wall 11, while at the. outer end is adapted to be locked to the opposite edge of the composing stick. In adjusting the member 16 lengthwise of the stick, it is applied thereto .by engaging the teeth 19 with the proper sockets 13, as determined by the particular graduation desired of the base plate, .and the locking member 24 is caused to firmly lock the member 16 in position, by engaging the teeth 36 in appropriate sockets 14L at the underside of the base plate., the rib 34 being located in the groove 37 of the base plate. Of course in order to accomplish the adjustment and setting of the member 16, the screw 29 is loosened so that the lock-member 24 may be freely shifted longitudinally for accomplishing the engagement of the teeth 36 with the rack 14 and the positioning of the rib 34 in the groove 37. Having set the adjustable member 16 to desired position, and the lock-member 24 to appropriate position, the conical concavity 31 in the lockmember will'be disposed in a position more or less opposite to the conical pointed end of the screw 29, and when the said screw is screwed in, its pointed end will seek the bottom of the concavity 31, thereby slightly shifting the lock-member 24. and ultimately rigidly securing the lock-member and the member 16 in stable position. In this final adjustment by the screw 29. the inclined surface of the rib 34 will slightly ride on the inclined surface 3S of the longitudinal groove, and the positive interlock of the under reaching extension 32 With the base plate 10 obtained. It will be seen that when the lock-member 24 has been finally set up tight, the engagement of the teeth 36 with rack 14 will prevent lateral movement thereof and of the transverse member 1G, and that a movement of the lock-member 24 away from the rack, or the teeth 19 of member 16 away from sockets 13, will be prevented by the combined interlocking action of the rib 34 and the screw 29. Also by the more or less rigid underhanging or hook-like portion 32 of the lock-member, the adjustable member 16 is locked rigidly down to the top surface of the base-plate 10. On the Whole therefore the laterally adjustable member 16 is rigidly and solidly held in its adjusted position, by compaia tively few and simple parts which are easily manufactured and are not apt to get out of order.

Preferably means are provided for obtaining one type measurement or a half thereof, as for example pica and nonpareil. To this end a reversible gauge member is provided which comprises a flat bar 40 which has a thickness equivalent to onehalf of the distance between the graduations shown on the base plate, the spacing of the graduations being assumed to be in pica measurement, as shown more clearly in Figs. l, 5 and 7. The inner end of the gauge member 40 is provided with a longitudinally extending tooth 41, While the outer end thereof is provided with a laterally bent portion 42, extending substantially at right angles to the plane of the flat gauge member 40, the portion 42 terminating in an inwardly extending lug 43 which is separated from the adjacent surface of gauge member 40 by a space 44. This gauge member may be composed of suitable met-al and is preferably Without any springiness therein. Its length overall is preferably no greater than the distance between the back Wall 11 and the graduated edge of the base plate l0, that is, it is somewhat longer than the end Wall or support 12 to which it is to be applied. The surface of the gauge member Which is remote from the lug 43 is provided with a thumb notch which affords a shoulder 45 for engagement by the thumb or finger nail. In order to support the gauge member in the desired position on the composing stick, the outer end of the support 12 is provided at opposite sides With grooves 46, 47 which extend longitudinally thereof, While the strip or rack 13 is provided With a socket 48 and the strip 15 with a socket 49. lVhen the end Wall or support 12 is properly and permanently secured to the stick, the sockets 48, 49 will be disposed just at the opposite surfaces of the said support. The gauge member 40 may be firmly yet detachably and reversibly secured to thesupport or end Wall 12, by first engaging the lug 43 in recess 47, as shown in Fig. 1, inserting its tooth 41 into the socket 48 and pushing the gauge member in until the end against the adjacent surface of the back wall, its lower edge resting on the end of the base plate. It Will be noted that the adjacent surfaces of the support 12 and the gauge member 40 are flat and are presented firmly and flatly together, and in said Figure 1 the composing stick is regulated for the set up of type of pica measurement, for example. On pulling the gauge member from that adjusted position, it may be reversed and, as shown in Fig. 5, the lug 43 engaged in groove 46 and its tooth 41 engaged in socket 49, in which ease the composing stick is prepared for a set up of type of nonpareil measurement, for example.

It is obvious that the described and illustrated invention is susceptible to more or less modification by those skilled in the art, Without departing from the invention as expressed by the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat is claimed is: -i

1. In a printers composing stick, the combination of a flanged base-plate, a transverse, adjustable member having teeth at one end, a longitudinal row of sockets at the inner face of the flange for engagement by the teeth, and locking means located at, and movable With respect to, the other end of said member for locking that end to the plate and for locking said teeth in the sockets, whereby said member is fixed against lateral and endWise movements with respect to the base-plate.

2. In a printers composing stick, the combination of a flanged base-platc having a longitudinal groove at the under side of the edge portion opposite the flange, a transverse, adjustable member, means for connectively engaging one end of the member with the flange, and locking means at, and movable relatively to, the other end of said member having a part engaging said groove.

3. In a printer-s composing stick, the combination of a flanged base-plate having a longitudinal groove at the under side of the edge portion opposite the flange, a transverse, adjustable member, means for connectively engaging one end of the member with the flange, and locking means at the other end of said member having a tongue with a deflected part engaging said groove to prevent longitudinal movement of the adjustable member, the under side of the plate having a series of teeth parallel with the groove, and the tongue being toothed for interlocking With said teeth to prevent lateral movement of the member.

4. In a printers composing stick, the combination of a flanged base-plate, a transthereof abuts llO lill

verse, adjustable member, means for connectively engaging one end of the member in endwise abutting relation with the flange, and manually controlled locking means for, and movably located at, the other end of said member having interlocking engagement with the under side of the plate and xing the member in aforesaid abutting relation.

5. In a printers composing stick, the combination of a flanged base-plate provided with a series of teeth at the inner side of the flange, the under side of the plate near the edge opposite the flange being provided with a series of teeth substantially parallel with aforesaid teeth, said plate having a groove between its under side series of teeth and its edge, and a transverse, adjustable member having at both ends means for interlocking with both series of teeth and at its outer end means for engaging in the groove.

6. In a printers composing stick, the c0mbination of a base-plate having a flange at one edge, a toothed rack and a strip secured to the inner side of the flange, the teeth and the edge of the strip joining to form sockets, a second, substantially identical rack of similar stock secured to the under side of the plate and having its teeth presented toward the unflanged edge of the plate, and a transverse, adjustable member having at both ends means for interlocking with the teeth of both racks.

7. An elongated adjustable member for a printers composing stick provided with a movable locking member guided on the outer end of the adjustable member at an angle to said member, and a manually operable screw mounted on the adjustable member and acting on and adjusting said locking member.

8. An elongated adjustable member for a printers composing stick provided with a locking member movable transversely thereof and located on one end of the adjustable member, and a manually operable screw mounted on the adjustable member and having a tapering portion for acting on said locking member.

9. An adjustable member for a printers composing stick provided with a transversely movable locking member having a portion extending under it, and manually operable means for acting on said locking member to draw its under portion towards the adjustable member for gripping the body of the stick.

10. An adjustable member for a printers composing stick having a locking member movable transversely thereof, the adjustable member having a transverse end recess for receiving the locking member, and a screw turning in the adjustable member and having a tapering portion bearing on the locking member.

11. An adjustable recessed member for a printers composing stick, manually operable means on the member, and a locking member guided in the recess and having an engaging tooth at its lower end, the manual means being operable to move the locking member.

12. A printers composing stick having a support transverse thereof, in combination with a member for obtaining one type measurement or a half thereof, the said member substantially cooxtensive with the support, and means for reversibly mounting and supporting said member on either face of the support.

13. A printers composing stick having a fixed end wall, in combination with a member for obtaining one type measurement or a half thereof, and means for reversibly mounting and supporting said member on either face of the end wall comprising a lug extending inwardly of said member from the outer 'end of the same, and spaced from the member to receive the outer end of said wall.

14. A printers composing stick having a fixed end wall, in combination with a mem ber for obtaining one type measurement or a half thereof, and means for reversibly mounting and supporting said member on either face of the end wall comprising a lug extending inwardly of said member from the outer end of the same, and spaced from the member to receive the outer end of said wall, said member having, located at the face opposite said lug, a shoulder for engagement by a linger.

15. A printers composing stick having a fixed end wall, said wall having a centrally located reduced portion at its forward edge, and a member for obtaining one type measurement or a half thereof, and provided at its outer end with an inwardly directed spaced lug for engagement with either side of the reduced portion when the member is in contact with a corresponding side of the end wall.

16. A printers composing stick having a fixed end wall, in combination with a member for obtaining one type measurement or a half thereof, means for reversibly mounting and supporting said member on either face of the end wall, and means for connecting the inner end of the said member with the stick.

17. A gage member for a printers composing stick, consisting of a bar having a lug extending inwardly thereof from the outer end of the same, and spaced from the bar.

1,8. A gage member for a printers composing stick, consisting a bar having a lug extending inwardly thereof from the outer end of the same, and spaced from the bar, said bar having, located at the face opposite said lug, a shoulder for engagement by a finger.

19. A gage member for a printers composing stick, consisting of a bar having a lug extending inwardly thereof from the outer Admz'm'stmtor of en d of the same, and spaced from the bar, sind bar having an outwardly extending tooth at its inner end.

HENRY A. SAWYER,

the Estate of Haw'y H. Hancock, Deceased. 

